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The European Baccalaureate (EB) is the leaving qualification for the European Schools. The certificate awarded is officially recognised by treaty in all the countries of the European Union, and many other countries.

Secondary education in the European Schools lasts for a total of seven years divided into three cycles. The secondary school course culminates in the European Baccalaureate at the end of Year 7 (the Orientation Cycle) and allows students to enter higher education, college or university. Those awarded the certificate have the same rights and benefits as other holders of school-leaving certificates in their countries, including the same right as nationals with equivalent qualifications, to seek admission to universities or institutions of higher education in the European Union.

There are currently around 24,000 students in the European Schools system as a whole, and approximately 1500 students take the final examination each year. These numbers are growing annually as the system expands. A broad curriculum is followed throughout the secondary phase, with a particular feature being the fact that students take subjects such as history, geography and human science in their second language from Year 3. Although the schools are open to the whole ability range, children must pass each year, meeting clear academic criteria. If not they must repeat the year, and ultimately leave the school if they fail the same year twice. The European Schools have high academic standards, with motivated students and supportive parents.

Validation

The EB is officially recognised by treaty as an entry qualification for Higher Education in all the countries of the European Union, as well as many others. As a result, European School students go on to University all over Europe and beyond. The Examining Board, which oversees the examinations in all language sections, is chaired by a university professor, and is composed of examiners from countries of the Union. They are appointed annually by the Board of Governors and must meet the requirements laid down in their home countries for appointment to examining boards of the same level. The close scrutiny of the Examining Board, which demands double assessment of the final written and oral examinations, guarantees the high level and quality of the Baccalaureate.

The Examination

The EB is a demanding examination where students must study 10 or 11 subjects. Students are required to study their own language, at least one foreign language to a high level, history and geography in that language, mathematics, at least one science subject, philosophy, physical education and ethics. They must add elective courses to this, for example more sciences and languages, or the same subjects at a higher level. This means that despite the large compulsory element in the EB, students are able to build up a programme which reflects their particular interests and strengths. The EB Diploma is based on performance in the final year.

The Marks

To obtain the EB a student must obtain a minimum of 60% overall, and in theory scores can range up to 100%. A mark out of 10 is also awarded for each individual subject. Students therefore have to be able to perform well across a wide range of academic subjects to obtain a good overall score in the EB.